Expeditions to South Australia, vol 2 | Page 7

he felt in the expedition, and his arrangements to ensure, as
far as practicable, our being met on our return, in the event of our being
in distress, were equally provident and satisfactory. It was not, however,
to the providing for our wants in the interior alone that His Excellency's
views were directed, but orders were given to hold a vessel in readiness,
to be dispatched at a given time to St. Vincent's Gulf, in case we should
ultimately succeed in making the south coast in its neighbourhood.
LEAVE SYDNEY.
The morning on which I left Sydney a second time, under such
doubtful circumstances, was perfectly serene and clear. I found myself
at 5 a.m. of that delightful morning leading my horses through the gates
of those barracks whose precincts I might never again enter, and whose
inmates I might never again behold assembled in military array. Yet,
although the chance of misfortune flashed across my mind, I was never
lighter at heart, or more joyous in spirit. It appeared to me that the
stillness and harmony of nature influenced my feelings on the occasion,
and my mind forgot the storms of life, as nature at that moment seemed
to have forgotten the tempests that sometimes agitate her.
APPEARANCE OF THE PARTY.
I proceeded direct to the house of my friend Mr. J. Deas Thomson, who
had agreed to accompany me to Brownlow Hill, a property belonging
to Mr. M'Leay, the Colonial Secretary, where his son, Mr. George
M'Leay, was to join the expedition. As soon as we had taken a hasty
breakfast, I went to the carters' barracks to superintend the first loading

of the animals. Mr. Murray, the superintendent, had arranged every
article so well, and had loaded the drays so compactly that I had no
trouble, and little time was lost in saddling the pack animals. At a
quarter before 7 the party filed through the turnpike-gate, and thus
commenced its journey with the greatest regularity. I have the scene,
even at this distance of time, vividly impressed upon my mind, and I
have no doubt the kind friend who was near me on the occasion, bears
it as strongly on his recollection. My servant Harris, who had shared
my wanderings and had continued in my service for eighteen years, led
the advance, with his companion Hopkinson. Nearly abreast of them
the eccentric Fraser stalked along wholly lost in thought. The two
former had laid aside their military habits, and had substituted the
broad brimmed hat and the bushman's dress in their place, but it was
impossible to guess how Fraser intended to protect himself from the
heat or the damp, so little were his habiliments suited for the occasion.
He had his gun over his shoulder, and his double shot belt as full as it
could be of shot, although there was not a chance of his expending a
grain during the day. Some dogs Mr. Maxwell had kindly sent me
followed close at his heels, as if they knew his interest in them, and
they really seemed as if they were aware that they were about to
exchange their late confinement for the freedom of the woods. The
whole of these formed a kind of advanced guard. At some distance in
the rear the drays moved slowly along, on one of which rode the black
boy mentioned in my former volume, and behind them followed the
pack animals. Robert Harris, whom I had appointed to superintend the
animals generally, kept his place near the horses, and the heavy Clayton,
my carpenter, brought up the rear. I shall not forget the interest
Thomson appeared to take in a scene that must certainly have been new
to him. Our progress was not checked by the occurrence of a single
accident, nor did I think it necessary to remain with the men after we
had gained that turn which, at about four miles from Sydney, branches
off to the left, and leads direct to Liverpool. From this Point my
companion and I pushed forward, in order to terminate a fifty miles'
ride a little sooner than we should have done at the leisurely pace we
had kept during the early part of our journey. We remained in
Liverpool for a short time, to prepare the commissariat office for the
reception, and to ensure the accommodation, of the party; and reached

Brownlow Hill a little after sunset.
LIVERPOOL-GOULBURN PLAINS.
As I have already described the country on this line of road as far us
Goulburn Plains, it will not be considered necessary that I should again
notice its features with minuteness.
WALLANDILLY-TYRANNA.
The party arrived at Glendarewel, the farm attached to Brownlow Hill,
on the 5th. I resumed my journey alone on the 8th. M'Leay had still
some few arrangements to